Relax... it’s only an election!

Elections Can Kill was the title of an article that appeared on The Sunday Times on January 1. It referred to a study conducted by medical specialists that revealed that elections in Malta are especially detrimental to our health and lead to an increased workload for our cardiac teams.

... rivalries have always driven us apart and set hearts racing- Caroline Galea

I read the article with interest and reflected upon what this says about Maltese society.

Without a shadow of a doubt I think that we are a competitive bunch passionately obsessed with this or the other. Be it the village feast, the local band club or committee or the political parties’ sectional committees, rivalries have always driven us apart and set hearts racing. National politics, of course, takes this to a completely unique level.

Love it or hate it, the political scene plays a major part in many people’s lives not only because of policies and decisions that affect our daily lives but also because a sizeable amount of Maltese are directly or indirectly involved whenever an election, be it national or local, is announced.

From party officials, agents, activists, counters and helpers to, of course, the candidates and their teams, a sense of imminent urgency surfaces as soon as an election date is announced. The news of an election sets hearts racing, adrenalin pumping and probably also increases the level of alcohol consumption as people turn their full and immediate attention to the whole selection and election process.

It is not only party candidates who are affected by this phenomenon as the run-up to an election can prove just as stressful for a lot of people for a myriad of reasons.

First and foremost, voters who have genuine aspirations for their country worry should a change in Administration negatively affect what they perceive to be the right way forward.

Others may believe that a change is so absolutely necessary that only the announced election would be able to redirect the country’s development and progress. Aspirations and hopes can be fulfilled or dashed on the same day!

Of course, this is not to mention sectorial interests, which may be heavily impacted by the result of an election. Is it any wonder that we get so stressed out?

I admit that as a nation we may seem overly obsessed with elections and our turnout rate has always set us ahead of other countries. Our political history may have in the past influenced such a high turnout but it may be argued that modern-day politics may not inspire people as much. It seems, however, that this is not the case and, while many Maltese may spend five years seemingly uninterested and trying to be fashionably distant from party activities, come election time the lot of us will be out there chanting at mass meetings and indulging in predictions. Those unable to join the crowds because of age or health or other reasons will, for sure, be following it all in front of the box in marathon nail-biting sessions of channel switching from PBS to Net and One News!

Of course, there is a growing number of seemingly uninterested citizens who have tended to express their voting preference with their feet. This silent minority tends to believe that either their vote is inconsequential or that things will sort themselves out without their actual getting themselves to the polling booths. Although I remain sceptical of this view at the very least, this is, of course, all part of the democratic game!

So this is us! We are Maltese and we love politics! I sympathise with our cardiac surgeons whose revelations have shown that, despite their best educational attempts to promote a healthy lifestyle in order to reduce heart disease, it is not high cholesterol or lack of exercise that land us in hospital during election time but politically motivated stress, the effects of which, according to the experts, can even be fatal.

Living in such health-conscious times should make us hang our heads in shame for allowing this to happen to us.

One may argue that elections should be a smooth, clean, transitory affair where the outgoing party handshake in the new party and it’s back to business as usual the following week. Despite my fervent wish to see this happen and to see us all reach an even higher level of maturity during election time, I appreciate that, for too many people supporting any of the two major political parties, this may not even be possible.

And, so, as we approach local council elections this coming March, allow me to finish with a health warning: Choose your candidates.

Choose your party and ensure to cast your vote on the day. But also make sure to have a healthy meal and a brisk walk and, most importantly, stay calm.

Let’s keep our brilliant doctors busy but not overly stressed out during election times!

Info@carolinegalea.com